June 6 – Friday
In my last blog, I had come to Cruz de Ferro. I walked on, and began to near my next stop, Molinaseca, while gingerly navigating the steep downward trail. It was duly rutted and covered with boulders of all sizes. As I moved from one side of the trail to the other, trying to keep a good footing, I felt a pull in my left hip. Pain began to seep in as I tried to continue.
Later research revealed that I had likely strained my left front hip flexor. I was not near a road and had only the choice of walking the 1 kilometer to the nearest village. This strain brings pain when the leg affected is extended behind you. Which is every time the other leg is extended forward. Which is…walking. I walked the last kilometer very slowly on the rough path and turned the affected leg out a bit to ease up on the strain. I knew if I let this get worse it would end my trip. So, a dear girl at the cafe helped me in calling a taxi and a hotel when I could stay a few days to recuperate. The village I had made it to was just on the outskirts of a large town, Ponferrada, Spain.
It happened that this was a Friday just before my planned Sunday off rest day. So I was down for three days, which because of the timing wasn’t a total loss.
On Monday, with just a little stiffness left, I began walking. After a few hours there was no pain or stiffness and I was back in my stride. I am very thankful and know that those praying had got me through this potentially more serious problem.
Also, I have well passed the halfway point and have only about 125 kilometers left. I’m well under 100 miles left to walk. Last night and today I am in Triacastela Spain. I had a lovely meal, the best I’ve had on the whole trip, at a sidewalk cafe. This meal included a Seafood Paella and Chicken Molinesca. Meals have ranged from a few energy bars (because everything was shut down, to stews and common fare of the areas. They have been more of a necessity than a pleasure. Although I’ve had several very good items. The Spanish Tortilla is the staple everywhere and is good in a basic comfort food way. Yesterday morning, I got to spend some time “spying” into a kitchen and have learned how it’s done. Now, I see if I can duplicate it.
I’ve assembled a collection of flower pictures that I’ve come upon in my travels. I’ve missed planting my yard this year, so I’ll present a Spanish garden, as such, showing a number of flowers I’ve seen on my journey. Most, if not all, may be common to the United States, but I’ve not seen all of these.
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